According to the 1828 Webster’s dictionary a bastard is “a child begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate or spurious child.” The Bible talks about a bastard in Hebrews 12:8, “But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” It goes on to say that fathers are responsible for correction and were revered by children. In other verses the scriptures clarify that a father exhorts, comforts and charges his children (1. Thess. 2:11) so they may walk in truth (3. John 4).

 The rising illegitimacy, however, creates single-parent homes where the father is absent. However, that is a serious departure from the way that God established the home. No matter how much the media glorifies and the government subsidizes the single-parent delusion, those who fall prey to this lifestyle will cause themselves and their children lots of problems and private pain. A departure from God”s principles will not lead to lasting happiness. God’s principles are non-optional and universal.

Is there a generation bastard? It is bad news for the so-called Bible Belt that right there in that area people are departing from traditional Christian marriage and adopt a lifestyle of casual relationship without commitment. However, God”s principles of love as explained in 1. Corinthians 13 require lifelong commitment and endurance.

One of the major reasons why unmarried people with no commitment to each other are having children is the declining belief in marriage. A lot of people no longer understand the Biblical underpinnings of marriage and fall into a worldly way of life that excludes God. The rising illegitimacy and fatherlessness harms an entire generation of children. The divorce industry in particular has exploited for profit such mistakes as “no-fault divorce” which unfortunately exists in many states. From a legal point of view it would be best to introduce covenant marriages in every state of the US. So far, only in Louisiana, Arkansas and Arizona legislation has passed. This is a great safeguard against casual relationships. It prepares people for a life-long union in which they will grow old together.

Check out the following link for more information on covenant marriages:

Louisiana For Marriage

In America today marriage and family are under an unprecedented attack. The unchristian culture of today’s America makes it easy and financially attractive for spouses to walk out of marriages because child support is “guaranteed income” and there are plenty of welfare programs that provide an incentive to divorce and the promotion of single-parents households. This is a malignant cancer that is eating away the moral as well as material strength of society. A lot of the media celebrities that brainwash the masses have made unmarried living palatable to the deceived. Many churches in Tennessee no longer teach and preach what the Bible teaches about marriage and family. A lot of so-called churchgoing believers can no longer define what fornication or a bastard is. These are Bible words that the Holy Ghost uses in the inspired word of God. It has come to my notice that in Tennesssee’s churches it is possible to wear a tattoo, listen to death metal music, men to grow their hair long, get divorced and still be a member in good standing. However, when a believer tries to mold his personal family life after the word of God, he was excluded from church and even received harassing phone calls and letters afterward. Bottom line: churches have become ineffective in teaching people a right way of living. Many preachers give their flock a superficial, shallow “way of salvation” connected with emotional experiences during meetings, but if someone dares to grab a Bible and teach the principles of marriage, male headship, submission of the woman, obedience of children and Biblical correction and discipline for children, separation from worldliness etc. that person is usually branded a fanatic. Dare to teach Christian character from a King James Bible in a Baptist church in Tennessee and you will often find yourself character assassinated. It is a sad truth, but I have watched it several times.

The belief in marriage is declining because people are becoming too selfish to make a lifelong commitment to another person. They are addicted to instant gratification and that’s why they are having children without making the commitment to live in a covenant marriage – a lifelong relationship of love. Most people today are too willfully blind to understand the Biblical principle of male headship. The husband is the head of the home before God and is commanded to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Thus, it is ultimately the father and husband who decides which church the family should attend, leads in home Bible study, family devotions and singing beside being the breadwinner of the home. Many times women try to usurp that authority from the man and do their own thing in violation of God’s principles. Even though a husband goes to work everyday and does not spend as much time with his children as the mother, he is still ultimately responsible for the upbringing of his children. The mother at home is basically a coworker or fellow solider in Christ who helps realize the goals that the father has defined by submitting himself to Christ.

Thus, many people are losing faith in the institution of marriage because they have never been properly taught from a King James Bible what God’s chain of command for the home is. Most people are misled by public opinion and antichristian brainwashing on hellevision. The Bible says: “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.” Proverbs 10:32. Those who are captive addicts to hellevision talk shows and smut allow themselves to be deceived by wicked mouths that speak nothing but frowardness. There is a great need for people today to be fed with righteousness. “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” Proverbs 10:21. If 43 percent of children in Tennesse are born out of wedlock, then almost half of all parents in Tennessee are deceived because they spend their lives in behavior that does not correspond sound doctrine. The first two letters of the word “doctrine” are “do”. Doctrine tells us what to do. If we don’t base our actions on sound Bible doctrine, we will do the wrong thing.

It is everybody’s responsibility to get ahold of sound Bible doctrine and not to base one’s decisions on public opinion, political correctness or “what everybody else is doing”. Christians need to dare to be different because we serve a God that makes a difference.

Most teenagers should try to find old christian literature from the 19th or early 20^th century and study it and form their ideas of marriage on those teachings. Even many secular health encyclopedias from up until the 1960s reveal a Chrisian point of view when it comes to the issue of procreation. We should never stake our lives upon modern media junk, but on the solid rock of Christian faith and doctrine. Here is the challenge for you: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.“ If you want rest for your sou, you gotta ask for the old paths and walk therein! You won’t rest by deceiving yourself with liberal lies and modern lifestyles. If modern sports stars are your heroes, then you are already heading in the wrong way and get sidetracked as far as your value to the cause of Christ is concerned. You gotta walk in the old paths defined by the holy scriptures.

At www.solidrockfaith.com we want to disseminate Bible truth about many issues but mainly salvation, marriage and family. Unmarried couples should study the materials such as the Family Training mp3 series and make sure they both agree on Biblical principles laid out in this series. Agreement on spiritual issues needs to come before the marriage. Married couples are fellowsoldiers in the good fight of faith. Fellowsoldiers don’t fight against each other but fight together under the banner of the cross of Christ.

www.SolidRockFaith.com tries to help people learn the truth about Christian living and esp. Christian family life through the bookstore ministry with many titles that can give couples a lot of help if the advice is heeded. Christians need to get ahold of the discipline of hearing (Job 36:10) and give attendance to reading (1. Tim. 4:13). Don’t let your reading and hearing be replaced by watching, gaming, texting and other forms of wasting one’s time. Going to church will not benefit you without the discipline of hearing and giving attendace to reading. In fact, if you are not a disciplined hearer and a reader of edifying Christian literature your presence in a church might actually hinder that body from reaching its full potential in Christ.

Here is one of the latest additions to our bookstore that can get you some help. Home-Alone America: The Hidden Toll of Day Care, Behavioral Drugs, and Other Parent Substitutes.

We don’t need a Generation Bastard where children are born out of wedlock and are robbed of the privilege of parents. Lust, adultery, fornication and insubmission rob children of parents. Children cannot be successfully raised by TV, government and Ritulin. They need to be trained in the right way. The right way is not being taught on the children’s TV channel. The right way is taught in christian homes and churches that believe and apply the Bible. Apart from God’s ways, true success and blessing is not possible.

We need a Generation Titus 2 because the book of Titus in the Bible gives a lot of godly counsel to families in chapter 2 reminding everyone (aged men, women, young women, men) of their particular God-given responsibility. Now more than ever modern society is need of sharp rebuke (Titus 1:13) from the pulpit and through every conceivable venue of Christian witnessing because they have departed from those principles and churches are to blamed for watering down and lowering their voice on this important issue. Churches should become truth-friendly and never “seeker-friendly” as some modern apostate movements call it. Genuine love rejoices in truth and is humble enough to receive a rebuke (see 1. Cor. 13). Only fools despise rebuke (check out Proverbs). Let us be courageous and withstand the modern lifestyes to the face because modern society is to be blamed. Secular concepts of life have no place in the sanctuary!

Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Gal. 2:7.

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Bible-believing Christians today face more and more accusations and charges by an increasingly secular culture. A Bible-believing Christian is sometimes accused of being a “right-wing extremist”. Liberal media have often tried to tarnish conservative Christians as “domestic terrorists”. Under the Clinton administration, Bible-believing Christians were viewed as “right-wing conspiracy” or “hate group”. When Christians speak the truth in love, the world misrepresents it as a “hate crime”. When Christians lovingly discipline their children, it is being misrepresented as “violence”. This, for example, is faulty logic. Violence, by definition, is destructive, but correction or discipline, by definition, amends, edifies and purifies. It is cosntructive. Christians who follow the commands of the Bible and adopt Christian manners are often accused of being “odd” or “strange”, esp. when they don’t have a television in their living room or do not participate an modern clothing fads that usually leave the body half-naked. Some Christians have actually been accused in lawsuits of “bizarre and erratic” behavior because they just wanted to lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty (1. Tim. 2:1,2) and denied ungodliness and worldly lusts in order to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12).

But do you notice that all these accusations and charges are a blessing in disguise? Although Christians have become the target of such negative language, we should regard it as a compliment. We should not be downtrodden and defeated because of such language. Many times such accusations are really an indirect compliment to an effective witness and ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian life is a good fight of faith and when accusations and even persecutions come then we should think of the apostles who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Acts 5:41. Have you ever suffered shame for the name of Jesus? We should not suffer shame because we have done wrong or been guilty of evildoing. That is not what the Holy Ghost is saying in these scriptures, but it is part of the Christian life that a believer may suffer shame simply because of doing what is good in the sight of God.

Apostle Paul in Philippi

When Paul faithfully preached the gospel of the grace of God in Philippi, what was he accused of? A mob of outraged businessmen caught Paul and Silas and took them to court with the following accusation: These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. Acts 16:20,21.

Paul and Silas were beaten and then jailed, but they were not despondent, but rather prayed and sang God’s praises in jail. They did not commit any crime, but they had Jesus Christ in their heart and that made them different from their surrounding culture of paganism. Let’s make no mistake: modern American culture is a mess of paganism and sorcery. A Spirit-filled Christian is different from that culture. But mark what Paul and Silas were accused of:

1. They troubled the city!
2. They taught different customs!

Praise the Lord! That is a wonderful compliment. If a city is full of sin and pagan superstition, it is good when a Christian shows up and troubles it by the preaching and teaching of the word of God. It’s good when someone teaches Christian customs instead of condoning heathen manners! That does not mean that Chrisians should deliberately “cause trouble” but in such an environment as in Philippi just living honorably for the Lord will cause trouble because the gospel message itself will trouble the unbelievers. Paul did not deliberately cause trouble, but the effect of a gospel witness troubled the unbelievers. Would to God that sinful cities of today such as Las Vegas or San Francisco are going to be troubled by the preaching and teaching of the gospel and the holy conversation of those lives changed by the gospel. Look at the way modern society acts, talks and dresses and you will apprecaite it when a Bible-believers risks his neck and sacrifices to teach some diferrent customs. What a compliment to an effective ministry! The gospel was made known to the whole city and people were effectively taught the Bible, so that it made an impact on lives and even on the economy. Remember those businessmen in Philippi made lots of money with soothsaying (fortunetelling), but when people turned to God it was no longer possible to make profits with sin and superstition. That “gospel effect” is needed today to correct the economy.

 The Gospel in Thessalonica

When the gospel was first preached in Thessalonica the Christians were again brought to court. This is what the unbelievers accused them of: These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason has received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. Acts 17:6,7.

This is another indirect compliment to an effective ministry and witness for the LORD. Once again, Christians were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. While the unbelievers were angry and outraged that these Christians “turned the world upside down”, we can rejoice that God opened many doors for the gospel to become known to so many people. The gospel was preached everywhere and made a noticeable impact on people’s lives. People changed! The fact that Christians were accused of doing contrary to the decrees of Caesar proves that those believers in Thessalonica lived holy, separated lives and placed their allegiance in Jesus Christ and not culture, tradition or government. Christians generally obey the law of the land, but in a serious conflict of conscience they obey God rather than man.

The Gospel: Not Good for Sinful Business

When the gospel was preached in Ephesus, many people got saved and forsook the pagan worship of the goddess Diana. As a result, those who earned their living by the manufacture of pagan devotionals suffered enormous losses. Once again, Christians were taken to court by an angry mob. What were the Christians and especially the missionary apostle Paul accused of? Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised. Acts 19:26,27.

Another accusation that really is a compliment. What sounds so negative is really something positive. This pagan silversmith involuntarily testifies that Christians were effective in reaching all of minor Asia with the gospel. The preaching of Christ led to the practical effect that people no longer regarded hand-made statues of pagan idols. They no longer believed in a god made with hands in the form of a statue, temple or devotional figurine. Rather, Christians believed in the invisible God who has made heaven and earth as the Creator of all things. I am thankful to God for those who are persuaded today of ther truth of the Bible. It is my prayer to God that the preaching of the gospel, the distribution of tracts, the Christian bumper sticker on the car or the availability of a Bible in a doctor’s waiting room will persuade people to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and turn them away from sin. I am thankful for every soul that has been turned away from the false gods of materialism, Islam, superstition, astrology etc. I am glad for every soul that turns away from sin. Can you rejoice about that? However, if you dare to turn away from sin, some folks will turn around and call you “odd”, “strange” or complain about your “bizarre and erratic” behavior. But praise God, that confirms the reality of the power of God. 1. Pe. 4:3,4 tells us that some will think it strange that we as Bible believers no longer run with them to the same excess of riot. Don’t run with everybody (Psalm 1:1)! We just don’t want to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. Eph. 5:11.

 Lawsuit: Tried for being a Christian

At another court hearing a lawyer named Tertullus accused the apostle Paul of being “a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who also has gone about to profane the temple.” Acts 24:5,6. Do you notice all the negative terms ascribed to Paul and the Christian churches? “Pestilent … sedition … ringleader … sect.” The speech of secular accusers is often larded with negative words. Just think of negative language that is being employed against Bible-believing Christians today: “Cult … controlling … repressive … would-be Amish … weird … nuts … underling … forceful …” However, we can also understand the lawyer’s accusation as an indirect compliment. I thank God that Paul preached the gospel and it spread in marvelous ways. I thank God that many souls got saved and lives were amended. Paul was accused of sedition but he was not a church-splitter or a promoter of variance and sedition. Since the Jews at that time rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah it was necessary for those who believed on Jesus Christ to be separate. The unity of the church was possible because believers separated from christless religion and worldly tradition. Faith in Christ does not make us better than others, but it makes us different from others simply because we receive the LORD whom others reject. That sets believers apart. It is very simple logic. As believers we should never allow ourselves to be discouraged by the accusations of the unbelievers but rather thank God for all the hidden compliments we are receiving.

 “You’re crazy“

Finally, we look at a situation where Paul testified in a hearing before Roman rulers. While he explained to them who Jesus is and what a sinner must do to be saved, Paul was interrupted by the loud words of Festus: Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. Acts. 23:24. Have you ever tried to explain to someone else what you believe and what the Bible teaches and that other person just responded: “You’re crazy.” Paul experienced that situation and even the Lord Jesus was accused multiple times of being crazy. But notice Paul’s reply to this accusation: I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. Acts 24:26. The context reveals that the other Roman ruler, king Agrippa, was under conviction because he was almost persuaded to become a Christian (Acts 24:28). When a Christian speaks with confidence of the Lord and the Holy Ghost is convicting people of their sin, some sinners want to evade that sense of guilt by just shrugging off the truth of the gospel by calling the Christian “crazy”, so they don’t have to take their word serious. If people can’t refute the message, they usually resort to attacking the messanger. Paul corrected the accusation and made it clear that what Festus deemed to be the result of madness is in reality the word of truth and soberness. A sober mind is the opposite of a crazy mind. Here you see the conflict in the good fight of faith: What the world calls “crazy”, “odd” or “bizarre” is soberness and truth to the believer. This conflict confirms the principle described in Proverbs 29:27: An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

Do not be discouraged by the threatenings of a godless world. Do not lose courage when facing wrongful accusations because you are just trying to serve God and follow His commands. If you face accusations such as mentioned above, please sing the praises of God and thank him that you have been counted worthy of suffering shame for the name of Jesus. Understand that those accusations are nothing but indirect compliments to your ministry and witness for the LORD. Satan could steal Job’s family, friends, health and wealth. Nevertheless, Job overcame and his blessing was restored. There’s one thing that Satan cannot steal from you: the personal knowledge of God that you received when you got saved. Christ in you is the hope of glory.

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"Choose Life" license plate from Tennessee.

LET US NOW look in specific where the Word of God instructs us to regard and to respect life rather than killing it in the mother’s womb and throwing it into the garbage.

First of all, let us start with the creation of mankind and progress further from there to discover the sacredness of the gift of life. On the sixth day of creation the Lord said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it … (Gen 1:26-28). Yes, we are created in God’s image, unlike all other creatures. We are God’s idea and His work. Therefore, each new life that has been conceived needs to be regarded as a gift of God, created in His image. If we kill the innocent unborn, we are killing the image of God. Environmentalists and animal rights group try to protect species of animal life and they go to extremes to protect certain endangered animals, but do we give the same respect and sense of protection to our preborn and newborn children? Knowing that they are created in the image of God, should we not rather focus on the rescue and the protection of those unborn babies who are right now scheduled for an abortion?

It is not in vain, that the Bible says in the Ten Commandments, Thou shalt not kill (Ex 20:13). This refers most certainly to the precious lives of innocent children. God hates hands that shed innocent blood (read Proverbs 6:16,17). Abortion is one instance where innocent blood is shed. The death penalty is instituted in many states of the US to punish brutal acts of murder. Many people use the 6th commandment to denounce the death penalty, involvement in wars, etc., but they are not willing to apply God’s commandment to the massive slaughter of unborn children. This is a terrible double standard, esp. since God so clearly condemns the shedding of innocent blood, whereas the death penalty serves to punish those guilty of homicide (see Genesis 9:6) and war action in self-defense serves to protect and safeguard the homeland (see Romans 13:1-4).It is noteworthy that in the chapter following the giving of the Ten Commandments a special law is given to protect the unborn life in the mother’s womb. There it says in Exodus 21:22-24 that, If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. A premature birth as a result of a violent altercation is being punished. But if the women miscarries, i. e. if the unborn child has died in the womb as a result of that altercation, severe retribution is inflicted on the man who inflicted violence on the woman. Even this Old Testament law for the people of Israel reflects God’s caring love and supports the notion that human life begins at conception (not at birth or at some time during the pregnancy).

We begin to see that God affirms life. The notion that for some reason a pregnancy can be ended and an unborn life removed from the womb is totaly alien. In fact, the Lord says in Psalm 127:3 that, Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Yes, children are a gift from God. They are a blessing, not a burden. They might become burdensome, if they are not raised in the Biblical way. If children are brought up without the rod, without discipline, without teaching in Christian values, but rather indulging in TV, toys, and other materialistic, secular seduction, then children grow up into unruly tyrants and rebellious haters of everything that is good, holy, and right. But children who are raised with love and discipline, with Biblical values in a godly home, taught in obedience, will be a blessing. Not a burden. Many think that “having children costs too much”. But shouldn’t you rather consider, if your car or your house costs too much? Do you spend money for cigarettes, alcohol, giant screen TV, 500 channel cable TV, football game tickets, hunting outfit and complain about what it costs to raise children? That’s hypocritical and outrageous. Children, created in the image of God, are God’s reward and heritage to us. Let us accept them, welcome them, and thankfully receive them into our lives. Always remember that Jesus himself was an unplanned, unwanted, and untimely pregnancy (read Matthew 1, Luke 1). But blessed Mary did not consider some method to “get rid of” the child. Nom she gladly responded to the angel, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (Luke 1:39) Mary accepted the Christ child that was conceived in her of the Holy Ghost even before she was married to Joseph. If Mary had had an abortion, the Savior never would have walked on earth, nor would he have gone to the cross to die for our sin and rise again from the dead. What, if there never had been our Lord Jesus? There would be no hope for us. Life would be a few days of trouble, and then we were to enter the fires of hell for all eternity. I wonder how many great talents, great leaders, and great people in general have been killed in their mother’s womb without ever having had the chance of accomplishing their life’s mission or ever seeing the light of this world.

Bearing children is a blessing from the Lord and it is says in Psalm 127:4,5, As arrows are in a hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Our quivers today are not filled with those arrows. The scourge called abortion has robbed the mighty man of his arrows. Promiscuity ravages our land. Children born into out of wedlock relationships – pre-marital or extra-marital – are being put to death. Sexual sins (7th commandment), covetousness (10th commandment) and the sin of murder (6th commandment) amount to these large numbers of abortions since their “legalization” (not legal under God) in the US in January 1973. But the Bible gives us the concept for blessed family life in Psalm 128:3,4, Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The heart of God is pounding for fathers and mothers who will reflect His love to their children. The modern notion that children are unwanted or unwelcome is against God’s will. Psalm 113:9 says that, He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. It is God’s calling and planned destiny for women to fill this role of joyful mothers. The idea that an abortion is justified in order to finish college, keep the career, think of the future is selfish, coldblooded, and coldhearted. Where are the joyful mothers who keep house? Women need the courage to step into this God-ordained and blessed role and to forsake the popular ideologies and modern feminist concepts that are basically nothing but devilish deception to lure women away fom the blessing of God that is in store for them. The men who encourage, pressure or in anyway coerce a woman to have an abortion are not worthy to be called men because of the Scripture we mentioned earlier that thus shall a God-fearing man be blessed with a wife and his children (Psalm 128:3,4). He who has no fear of God and forfeits the blessing of God is in danger of having innocent blood on his hands – the blood of his own children that were killed in their mother’s womb. The Lord will not hold him guiltless. The Bible tells us exactly what real fathers ought to be like: Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him (Psalm 103:13). The blessed truth that needs to be taught and instilled in men today is that they need to pity – have compassion, have mercy on, show love for – their children. That alone is reason enough to abstain from all lust, promiscuity, adultery, and fornication because the best place for children to be born is within the confines of holy wedlock into a loving and stable home.

By the way, the killing of children is mentioned in the Bible only with reference to idolatry. In Psalm 106:36-39 it says, And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. The heathen worship of the Canaanites involved human sacrifice. Children were sacrificed to their fertility gods. The Canaanite people were an abomination to the Lord and some of the Israelites participated in their idolatry after they entered the Promised Land. That incurred the wrath of God. In the 1st Commandment we are told not to have any other gods. Forsaking the Lord and going after false religions often involves a depreciation of the value of life. The Lord is a life-affirming, life-giving God. Children are a gift from God. This is what Jacob said when he met his brother Esau: And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. The idea that babies can be killed in the womb of the mother is utterly out of touch with Scripture. The concept of a woman’s choice for or against the baby and the “right to abortion” (probably paid for by taxpayers’ dollars) is completely foreign to the word of God. Here, life has worth and life is worth living. It is God’s will for us to choose life. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19). What will you choose? The right choice is always pro-life. Don’t be guilty of the innocent blood of an unborn child. There is no sane rationale for having an abortion. Abortion kills babies, abuses women, and is a sin. Choose life! There are pro-life alternaties to abortion. If the child cannot be raised by the mother or father, it can be given up for adoption. There are parents waiting. Women in crisis pregnancies do not have to go to Planned Parenthood for “help”. There are numerous Christian organizations that can help with Christian counseling and solutions that will protect the mother’s physical and mental health as well as the baby’s life. When studying the Holy Scriptures we can see how God regards the unborn child and begins dealing with it by the Holy Spirit. The following Scriptures let us know that the unborn child is not a “lump of cell”, “cell tissue”, or a “parasite”. It is a person. It is a soul! At the moment of conception all the genetic information for that new person to be born is already present and begins to unfold. Therefore, in the Bible it is usually mentioned that a woman conceives and bears a child. Conception is frequently mentioned (for example Gen. 4:1, 17, 25; Ruth 4:13; Mt. 1:20, Lk. 1:24) as the real start of life. Thus, it is not unusual that the Lord already deals with the unborn child in the mother’s womb.

Here is what the prophet Jeremiah says:Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah 1:4,5).While still in his mother’s womb, God fashioned Jeremiah for his purpose as a prophet later in his life. What, if Jeremiah had been aborted? The Lord was already sanctifying and ordaining him and then the tools of an abortionist come to destroy this life and its purpose.

Here is what the prophet Isaiah has to say:Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name … And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant … (Isaiah 49:1,5)God placed a special calling on the prophet Isaiah while he was still in his mother’s womb. When God formed Isaiah he purposed him to be a prophet. We begin to see what a sacred place the mother’s womb is. The cruelties of abortion should have no place in there.

The Psalmist gives thanks to God for being made by his hands:For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my subtance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them (Psalm 139:13-16).Again, we see how God was dealing with the yet unborn child. The Psalmist gives thanks to God for the way he was made. The thought of aborting this fearfully and wonderfully made human child would be totally out of place and an offence against the God who curiously wrought and covered the child in the mother’s womb. Isn’t it an honor for mothers today to notice that the Lord is at work on the child about to be born soon?

When Mary, the mother of Jesus, went to see Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, the following event is recorded in Scripture:And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb … For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy (Luke 1:41, 42, 44).The baby John was aware of the presence of Mary and Jesus. John was aware of the presence of God coming in the flesh. John the Baptist, while in his mother’s womb, was not a “lump of tissue”. He was a living soul. Furthermore, it is said about John the Baptist when the angel spoke to his father Zacharias in the temple:For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb )Luke 1:15).God forbid that we even think about abortion when the Holy Spirit is already dealing with out children. Abortion is a crime against the child, against the mother, but also against God Himself. We do not own this new life. God owns it because he gave it. We are just stewards who will be held accountable for what we did with those precious lives.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived and born into this world. God came in the flesh to sanctify the unit of life we call the family – Mary, Joseph and Jesus. They were not wealthy nor did they have any higher rank in the society. In fact, they come from the poor, rural area of Nazareth in Galilee. Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was espoused to him (not yet married) when the angel announced that Mary was to conceive of the Holy Ghost. Joseph sought to put her away privily because of the untimely pregnancy. But it was revealed to him to stay with Mary and to become the foster-father of the Son of God. It was tax time at the time Jesus was to be born into that humble environment. So Mary, being almost ready to deliver her child, and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. There was no comfortable room anywhere, so the child was born near Bethlehem and was laid in a manger. These were difficult circumstances into which Christ was born. But the story of Christ’s birth should be an encouragement to all families and to those who are facing crisis pregnancies. Planned Parenthood would have advised Mary to have an abortion because Jesus was unplanned and there was too much troube and too much poverty. But Mary held on to her child because she was aware that God is the Giver of life and that children are a blessing. Thus, in the New Testament we will find the following teachings that completely outrule the option of abortion:Notwithstanding she shall be saved [i.e., kept from deception, transgression] in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety (1. Timothy 2:15).Here we disover the character traits of godly womanhood. If these character traits resurface again today, the abortion clinics would be going out of business.The aged women likewise … that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded (Titus 2:3,4-6).The Bible teaches us a concept of life and family that would make abortion extinct. Mothers have the high calling of becoming keepers at home. It is a disgrace that today’s adulterous and materialistic generation does not give those blessed keepers at home the credit they deserve. Our society has subtle socio-economic constraints that force mothers into the job world. It is every Christian politician’s duty to remove those hidden constraints from our society so that ONE breadwinner with ONE income can provide for ONE family with the help of ONE homekeeper. Amen! A true revival in America would bring the restoration of the above-mentioned Biblical values. Amen. There is more to revival than just selling “WWJD-bracelets”.I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan (1. Timothy 5:14,15).This is some good instruction by the Apostle Paul. Instead of providing abortion as a shortcut out of “trouble”, the Word of God encourages us to strive as much as possible to restore orderly family life. A commitment to live sexually pure is the best way to avoid abortion. Once a woman finds herself in a crisis pregnancy she should not be condemned for any reason, but needs to receive compassionate help. There is a lack of such help today. That’s why organizations such as Planned Parenthood can prey on these situations and lure women into an “easy” abortion.

Jesus has commanded us to help the those that are considered the least among us. Let us read this in Matthew 25:34-40: Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand , Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Serving the least means serving the Greatest, the Lord Jesus, our King. Modern society does not regard the life of the preborn children. Women who need real help are offered to have their child killed in their womb while they suffer from higher risks of cancer and infection as well as depression and other mental disorders resulting from abortion. These women have asked for bread, but all they got is a stone. Jesus gives us the ultimate reason for the sanctity of human life and for the pro-life cause:Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). This verse of Scripture is also known as the Golden Rule. So, let’s apply it. Would you like to be aborted? What, if you had been killed in your mother’s womb? Therefore, please don’t do it to any unborn child. We can apply the Golden Rule to all aspects of human relationships and we will always find that it is in favor of the preborn child. Would you like to be rejected by all? Probably no. Then, please don’t reject any form of life. Did you grow up in a good home with good parents? Then, please pass this blessing on to your own children and don’t rob them of the opportunity of having a good home. Would you like to have your neck forced upon with scissors and have your brain sucked out or the limbs of your body plucked off? Probably not. So let us not do that to our preborn children in the womb.

Jesus always welcomed and blessed little children. The modern anti-child mentality of abortion would be contrary to the thoughts and ways of our Lord. Jesus often used little children to illustrate how we can enter into the kingdom of God. Like in Matthew 18:2-6:And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.Jesus displays an attitude of gladly receiving children. If we receive them, then we receive Jesus. If we reject them, we reject Him. When the people brought young children to the Lord Jesus, the disciples rebuked the people who brought the children as if the Lord did not have time to deal with children, but that displeased the Lord greatly and he said to them: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16)The Lord who blesses the little children will not condone the modern-day, murderous abortion ethic. Our Lord is pro-life. Are you?

Finally, let us close this message with the following prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, We come to you in repentance for the gruesome killing of the innocent unborn in our land.Lord,  forgive us of this sin and strengthen us to regard and to respect life. Lord, help us to save lives and touch the hearts of mothers and fathers, So that they will not be guilty of the blood of their own children. Father, extend Your hand of protection to those threatened by abortion, And save them from its destructive power. Bless our families and bless our land, That we may have the joy of welcoming and nurturing the life Of which You are the Source and the Giver.We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

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‘Parents have the right and authority to make decisions regarding their childrens education without government interference, said ADF Legal Counsel Roger Kiska, who is based in Europe. This is about a socialist government trying to create a cookie-cutter child in its own image. Without help, the parents in these cases are really powerless since the system is so one sided.’

Swedish authorities forcibly removed Dominic Johansson from his parents, Christer and Annie Johansson, in June of last year from a plane they had boarded to move to Annies home country of India. The officials did not have a warrant nor have they charged the Johanssons with any crime. The officials seized the child because they believe home schooling is an inappropriate way to raise a child and insist the government should raise Dominic instead.”

Please click here to sign a petition demanding Dominic’s release.

What is Sweden’s status on freedom to homeschool? Click here for more information from HSLDA.

I think the bottom line is this: Christian parents should never be forced to render unto Ceasar what belongs unto God. Jesus taught the principle in Mt. 22:21: Render unto Caesar the things which are Casesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. Children are not a ward of the state, but are a gift from God according to Psalm 127:3. Socialist politicians have always had a problem with that notion. They have tried to nationalize children and use their innocent and impressionable minds to indoctrinate them in an antichristian worldview. This is the way that Satan deceives souls so they don’t saved once they reach the age of accountability. In contrast to that consdier 1. Timothy 3:15 where the apostle Paul reminds young Timothy that he was taught the holy scriptures from a child. These scriptures make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. We can’t start early enough  to tell children about God and teach them the Bible. So that once they reach that age where they become accountable to God they will chose Jesus Christ and call upon Him to save them.

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1. Requesting the German Federal Government Recognize Basic Parental Rights

JOHN BIRCH was a Baptist missionary in a remote province of China during World War II when, through a series of extraordinary coincidences, he helped Colonel James Doolittle and several of his downed fliers to safety. He was subsequently inducted into the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer under General Chennault, and served for slightly over three years of America‘s war with Japan. His remarkable feats of personal courage and leadership helped immeasurably to bring about victory in China. Ten days following the end of the war, while on a peaceful mission for the Army, he was brutally killed by Chinese Communists.

LIKE many of the noble souls associated with America’s founding, John Morrison Birch was a man rooted in principles that transcend politics. In a “prose poem” written at age 26, John Birch gave voice to his Jefferson-esque longing to “live slowly, to relax with my family before a glowing fireplace … to enjoy a good book … to reach the sunset of my life sound in body and mind, flanked by strong sons and grandsons….” Regrettably, John Birch’s tireless service to God and liberty denied him such irenic pleasures.

At the age of seven, Birch expressed a desire to become a Christian missionary. Upon learning of the violence inflicted upon missionaries by Chinese communists, the youngster selected China as his mission field. When cautioned by his pastor that “more will be killed” in China, Birch replied: “I know the big enemy is communism, but the Lord has called me. My life is in his hands, and I am not turning back.”

Birch’s labors in China began in 1940, a time when the country was being ravaged by the Japanese military. After Pearl Harbor he dyed his hair black, adopted the garb of the local population, and continued his underground work behind enemy lines. He was a missionary for the World’s Fundamentalist Baptist Missionary Fellowship and graduated from Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. This seminary would later on name one of its buildings the John Birch Hall in honor of his achievements in China as well as his great influence on the seminary as an unswervingly fundamentalist Baptist. Prior to his seminary studies John Birch attended Mercer University in Macon, GA where John and twelve others raised heresy charges against their Christianity Professor John Freeman. Freeman used his freedom of inquiry to point out contradictions in the Bible, but his trial so affected the stability of the university that he was unable to retain his teaching position. Praise God for a young man who stood up for the Bible.

While near the border of Japanese-occupied territory on the evening of April 19, 1942, Birch came upon Colonel James H. Doolittle and members of the raiding party that had just completed a dramatic bombing raid on Tokyo. With his encyclopedic knowledge of the language, customs, and geography of China, Birch was able to convey Doolittle and the crews of 12 American bombers to safety in free China.

Shortly thereafter, Birch became an intelligence analyst as a second lieutenant with the China Air Task Force — General Claire Chennault’s legendary “Flying Tigers.” Performing high-risk intelligence-gathering missions on the ground, Birch acted as “the eyes of the 14th Air Force,” devising an early warning system that enabled U.S. air units to come to the aid of Chinese units under enemy attack. He also organized a rescue system for pilots who were shot down by the Japanese. Chennault credited Birch with the fact that 90 percent of his downed flyers were rescued. He also rescued the lives of many missionaries of the China Inland Mission who were stranded in China due to the Japanese invasion and the turmoil in the country. Those missionaries were put on US military airplanes that brought supplies in and provided an opportunity for the missionaries to fly out of the war zone. John Birch used his position to use American airplanes to get the missionaries out. Another Colonel who worked close to John Birch wrote about Birch’s role as both soldier and missionary that the testimony he gave was not only a preaching but a living testimony. “He was all over Central China. That one trip of 300 miles John told me himself that he ‘witnessed’ in village after village… The fact that he had the freedom to give out the Gospel (tracts which John took with him whenever he could) made him more valuable in his military work… The fact that John was a member of the Army and the Chinese knew he had been a missionary added to his prestige and gave greater influence with the Chinese.”

On August 25, 1945 — ten days after the end of WWII — Birch (by then a captain) was part of an official military mission to Suchow that was detained by Chinese communists. Captain Birch and another man were separated from their group and shot. An autopsy later demonstrated that after Birch had been immobilized by a gunshot to the leg, his hands were tied behind his back and he was shot execution-style in the back of his head. The communists had also desecrated Birch’s dead body. His face smashed with bayonets, as was that of his aide, who was left for dead. This man survived to tell the tale. So it was that John Birch died, without ever knowing that the China for which he had given his all to help save had been betrayed into Communist hands by his own nation’s leaders. In its desire to depict the Red Chinese as innocuous “agrarian reformers,” the U.S. government suppressed the news of the unprovoked murder of Captain Birch. However, the Communists recognized John Birch as standing for America, for Christianity, and as the very embodiment of those qualities and forces which were in their way.

AS THE truth of John Birch‘s martyr death was uncovered years later, it was said about him: “If we rediscover some of our sounder spiritual values in the example of his life, recharge our determination from the spark of his courage, and learn essential truths about our enemy from the lesson of his murder, then his death at twenty-six ceases to be a tragedy”

After reading about the life and death of John Birch, the reader might ask how we can rediscover those sounder spiritual values today. He is set for an example for us today that exhorts us to follow Christ. It was John Birch, who before his tragic death made a few profound prophetic statements about the time after World War II. He said: “I believe that this war and the ensuing federations will set the world stage, as never before, for the rise of anti-Christ!” He also warned about the “lust-ridden years which will follow this war.” Is not that what we are observing today? We see how man shuts God out of his daily activities and lives a life that is dictated by marketing strategies, political correctness, and lust. This is not what God intended for man. Only Jesus makes man free from the bondage of sin and death. God wants to live within man and reign in the hearts of man. As John Birch expressed it: “Often in these days, I feel that those barren years are my apprenticeship, God-given, and that a message is being formed, by Him, within me, that will one day burn its way out and across man‘s barriers, into the souls of many men. I know that God is preparing me (has prepared, in some respects) to stand privation, pain, isolation, fatigue, and physical danger. To what end? That I trust Him to show me in His own time.”

Dear reader, do you have Jesus Christ in your heart and is He using you for His own glory? You can make peace with God right now. Come before the Lord Jesus Christ and give Him your life. Repent of all your sin, and tell Him you want Him in your life. Give your life into His hands. God‘s will is recorded in His Word, the Holy Bible, and you should nourish yourself in the word of God, so you can step on God‘s side and receive His wisdom on the many aspects of life. Do not forget that God loves you, and can cleanse you from your sin. Jesus revealed the love of God when He came and took your sin upon himself and died on the cross. What was he punished for? He lived a life without sin. But he took upon himself the punishment for your sin. You can read that in the Bible in Isaiah, chapter 53. Read also 2. Peter 2:24,25: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Have you already returned to Jesus Christ, that good Shepherd? Do not hesitate or put off God‘s call. His grace is there to save you. You need to claim it by faith. Here is another scripture that tells you about what Jesus has done for you and is doing now. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore, God has also highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

All knees shall bow before Jesus Christ – either as Savior or as Judge. In this dispensation of the grace of God you can bow before Him and He will save you. But if you put off the salvation that is being extended to us by the Lord, then you will bow before the Lord Jesus later on at the White Throne judgement. That judgment is coming. The Bible says: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.“ (Acts 17:30) That judgment day is coming. However, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, so that you may have new life as well. “And as it is apppointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.“ (Hebrews 9:27) If you reject Jesus Christ, then this is what the judgment will be like: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. …. And whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.“ (Rev. 20:11,12,15) But there is a way to escape the wrath of God. Jesus has promised eternal life to those who come and bow before him.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

God is faithful and keeps His promise. John Birch went to China to preach this gospel of the grace of God to the people over there. What about you? John Birch was an ambassador for Christ in China, and he gave his life as a martyr. Killed by hell-bount, lost, wicked communists, who are deveived by Satan’s lies and serve a dead, man-made philosophy. “We pray you in Christ‘s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2. Cor 5:20)

The following is the “prose poem”written by John Birch in April, 1945, four months before his death, that tells about his Christian point of view, his love of God, and his ability to point out the dangers of a secularized, godless society. It is an invitation to every reader to come to God, to repent of sin and to be saved, to live a holy life, a life that is simple and that is well-pleasing to the Lord.

THE WAR-WEARY FARMER

by John M. Birch

I SHOULD like to find the existence of what my father called „Plain living and high thinking“.

I WANT some fields and hills, woodlands and streams I can call my own. I want to spend my strength in making fields green, and the cattle fat, so that I may give sustenance to my loved ones, and aid to those neighbors who suffer misfortune. I do not want a life of monotonous paper-shuffling or of trafficking with money-mad traders.

I ONLY want enough of science to enable fruitful husbandry of the land with simple tools, a time for leisure, and the guarding of my family‘s health. I do not care to be absorbed in the endless examining of force and space and matter, which I believe can only slowly lead to God.

I DO not want a hectic hurrying from place to place on whizzing machines or busy streets. I do not want an elbowing through crowds of impatient strangers who have time neither to think their own thoughts nor to know real friendship. I want to live slowly, to relax with my family before a glowing fireplace, to welcome the visits of my neighbors, to worship God, to enjoy a book, to lie on a shaded grassy bank and watch the clouds sail across the blue.

I WANT to love a wife who prefers rural peace to urban excitement, one who would rather climb a hilltop to watch a sunset with me than to take a taxi to any Broadway play. I want a woman who is not afraid of bearing children, and who is able to rear them with a love for home and the soil, and the fear of God.

I WANT of Government only protection against the violence and injustices of evil or selfish men.

I WANT to reach the sunset of life sound in body and mind, flanked by strong sons and grandsons, enjoying the friendship and respect of neighbors, surrounded by fertile fields and sleek cattle, and retaining my boyhood faith in Him who promised a life to come.

WHERE CAN I find this world? Would its anachronism doom it to ridicule or loneliness? Is there yet a place for such simple ways in my own America or must I seek a vale in Turkestan where peaceful flocks still graze the quiet hills?

It is my hope and prayer that John Birch’s vision will become yours and that his righteous desires will become our goals in our spiritual, social and political life. The world that John  Birch describes should not be an anachronism. The simple ways he explains should be the result of godly Christian lives.

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FIRST, you must acknowledge the fact you are a sinner.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10

No one has ever lived up to God’s perfect standard.

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5

SECONDLY, you must realize that as a sinner, you are in violation of God’s law and will for your life for which God must render Holy judgment and Holy justice.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

THIRD, you must believe that Jesus already paid your sin debt.

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9

God is satisfied with Jesus’ death as payment for the penalty of sin for all who will believe in Him as their Redeemer.

“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” John 3:16.

This is one of the most popular Bible verses describing the love of God. You should memorize this verse and in order to realize God’s love for you personally, you should fill in your first name in the places where it says “world” or “whosoever” because salvation is personal.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2. Corinthians 5:21

Truly, Jesus has paid the price for sin.

FOURTH, you must repent towards God and by faith trust in Jesus’ work on the cross to have your sins forgiven and receive this gift of life.

“And they went out, and preached that man should repent.” Mark 6:12

“I tell you, …, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:” Acts 17:30

“Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18

“Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2. Peter 3:9

It is God’s will for all mankind to return to Him. Because of His holy love He has made a way for everyone to come to Him, be washed from their sin and be received into fellowship with Him. The way is through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ.

You become aware of the absence of God in your life when the light of Jesus comes to you through His Holy Word and Holy Spirit revealing to you what is lacking, or missing. Many times one may feel an emptiness or void inside their soul. The emptiness can only be filled by God because He created you that He might live within you. Therefore it is God who awakens you to the reality of sin and death. In fact, without God, you cannot even approach Him.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day …, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me , except it were given unto him of my Father.” John 6:44, 45

“… that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” 1. Corinthians 12:3

It is God’s will for you to be saved. But you must seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; your whole being. You must surrender your whole life to Jesus Christ, submitting yourself totally to Him as your Lord and Christ. Will you begin now? It is the gospel of Jesus Christ by which we are saved, if we receive it by faith.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” 1. Cor. 15:1-4

We would rejoice to hear the good news that you have been saved by the grace of God. Please let us know about that. Feel free to use the comment below. Thank you.

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The fleshly Christian thinks that his thought life does not matter to God, so he is only concerned about the outward appearance of his life. But God looks on the very motives in your heart. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts andintents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 In the key Bible verse above we are told about an actual war for the minds and souls of mankind.

God Almighty wants you to have pure and honorable thoughts. Your conscience will convict you, if you ponder about something sinful. You must realize that sinful actions start with an evil thought. For example, that is where adultery and the modern-day divorce craze start. Jesus, in His explanation of “Thou shalt not commit adultery”, told us that adultery does not begin in a courthouse with a divorce attorney, but it already begins in the mind, when someone lusts after another person (Matthew 5:28). If we let God control our mind, we can fight sin at its very root. Listen to how Jesus explains this in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Also he says in Mark 7:20-23, “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications … All these evil things come from within and defile the man.” We can see tremendous changes in our life, if we let God get ahold of our heart, surrender our mind to Christ, give up our selfish ways of thinking, and let His Holy Spirit renew us thoroughly because we are the temple of God that is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus even added this promise: ”Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8) That is a great incentive for total thought purity. Let us foster this consciousness of keeping our thoughts clean, so our Lord will rejoice over us, and we will be molded and formed more into His image.The Scriptures give us a wealth of hints on how to keep our thoughts clean. Let us start with this admonition in I. Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” The world bombards us with moral filth, profanity, blasphemy and tries to compel us to partake of evil deeds. It might be foul-mouthed or fraudulent colleagues at work, an advertisement anywhere, or the mass media. Do all you can to avoid situations, people, and places that could bring temptation and sin. Tempting thoughts can burn their way deep into the subconscious and can do great harm to character. Quit watching TV because that is where most of the filth comes from. When you watch soap operas and gossip talk shows, for example, you can never get your mind right before God and become sanctified. These programs are mainly focused on adultery, fornication, uncleanness, blasphemy, and materialism. God has nothing to do with that! So do you! So many programs show graphic displays of behavioral patterns that do not belong into a Christian home or a Christian mind. They might show a shooting in a movie. God says, thou shalt not kill!!! So why did you watch that? Turn off that TV and burn those video tapes with godless movies for the honor and glory of God. Amen. Your thinking would be right in God’s eyes, if you watch something that shows true agape love.

By the way, soap operas disrupt your picture of good friendship and holy marriage. You better go to the Bible, instead of allowing the soap opera mentality to destroy your marriage, courtship, or friendships. TV has become the pulpit of Satan because it programs people’s minds in the wrong way. I have experienced that when I quit watching TV, most of the sources of offensive thoughts are gone. No Christian needs to watch crime, murder, rebellion, fighting couples, etc. Remember to abstain from evil thoughts. Then you can start to fill your mind with treasures of good. Let us look at two Scriptures:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.“ Colossians 3:16

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;“ Ephesians 5:19

The word of Christ should dwell in you richly. This can be accomplished by regular study and meditation in the Bible, by memorizing Scriptures, by church attendance, and through committed obedience to Christ’s teachings. It also says to teach and admonish . This requires the fellowship of other mature Christians who can set an example for you. Do you have a Christian colleague at work that you can talk with? The primary place for teaching and admonishing one another is the church. Some churches even have mentoring classes where the older, more experienced believers mentor a young person who goes to school or college. If you have no Bible-believing church in your area that can teach and admonish you, then you can still listen to a Christian radio stations. If you are in a totally non-Christian, solitary environment, then use the address on the bottom of this page, so I can send you some free teaching tapes. Both of the above verses state that you can be taught and admonished – even speaking to yourself – by psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Refresh your thought discipline through music. Not just emotional melodies. Music is meant to teach us a message. Speaking to yourselves also means reading the Bible out aloud, so you can remember it much better by hearing. Memorize some Christian songs and sing them and keep them in your mind. While we learn to make melody in our hearts to the Lord, then we must, of course, abstain from all kinds of music that draw our mind away from God’s holiness. Sadly, most of the popular music today is made by unsaved people and deals with subjects that are only of interest among those who do not know the Lord. We can not be so unthinking that we constantly keep the radio playing country or rock music which caters all kinds of evil thoughts (drinking, divorce, etc.) to our mind. The best thing we can do is to totally abstain from that music and let our minds be utterly unaffected by it. Our priority is to let the word of Christ dwell in us.

The last verse I want us to examine with regards to how we can bring our thought life to the obedience of Christ is probably the most revealing. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.“

Can you focus your mind on these qualities and traits? God does not want our minds to be focused on the ugly and abominable. Rather, He wants us to be focused on the godly, as we can read in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This is the only kind of positive thinking the Bible knows. Let us list those qualities again from Philippians 4:8: true, honest (venerable), just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praise. Try to bring these qualities into the situations and circumstances of your life. The Bible contains many stories that display just, pure, and lovely actions, especially in the life of our Lord Jesus. But you can also look into the lives of faithful servants of God in our time. For example, I like to listen to Paul Harvey’s radio commentaries wherein he sometimes announces the wedding anniversary of a couple that is married 50, 60, or even 70 years. In this culture of easy divorce this is surely a wonderful accomplishment to stay faithful to each other for this long time. This makes me rejoice to hear such good news and I think about this for a long time. These stories are true, lovely, and of good report, indeed.What is on your mind? Outward religious appearance is not what God wants. He wants you to be a thoroughly cleansed and sanctified person. First, you come to Him through repentance and faith. Then, when you know you are saved you want to follow the Lord in obedience to His commands. Therefore, keep your thoughts pure and you will not be disturbed by the guilt and condemnation of a carnal mind.

Factors in Character Building

Positive and Negative Qualities

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 (1) Orderliness

God is not the author of confusion but enjoins that all things be done decently and in order. If our homes are unkept and disorderly we bring reproach upon ourselves.

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some are already turned aside after Satan. 1. Tim. 5:14.

An untidy home or unruly children will have an adverse effect on our relationship with each other and the Lord. Confusion and disorder create disharmony and chaos. Order creates peace and a warm, welcoming climate where love can be cultivated. Conscientously applying Biblical life principles help us keep things in order. That’s what this scripture teaches. If we deny our duty, we are turned aside after Satan. We should not allow Satan to get a foot into the door of our homes. We should give no place to the devil at all.

 (2) Blasphemy in the Home

That they may teach the young women … to be discreet chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:5.

Not only can we commit blasphemy in word but also in deed. The word of God is meant to instruct us to produce right action. If we say we believe the word of God, but act against the counsel of the word of God, then we are in danger of blaspheming the word of God. But it really is our job to adorn the doctrine of the word of God with our conduct. See Titus 2:10.

 (3) Avoiding Absenteeism

Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth upon him all people. Hab.2:5.

Modern people need to learn to stay home. We as Bible believers are opposed to outsourcing the functions of the home to “outside suppliers”. We eat at home. We live at home. We enjoy being at home. The children are at home and not at mingling with “peers”. We learn at home. We pray and worship God at home. It is not our job to mingle with all nations and people. We keep at home. It is wrong to be overly involved in club memberships, sports activities, hobbies and so on. We need to have quiet time at home in the Lord.

 (4) Care at Home

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 1. Tim. 5:4.

The home is a community of care. Piety is a reverence accompanied with affection and devotion to honor and happiness. That’s how we treat each other at home. Lack of respect and piety, however, is a widespread disease in today’s society. We sharply disapprove of that. Once again, Christians have to live the counterpoint to society. The home is not a place of selfishness, but in a real home we learn to make decisions based on the regard for others. The home is not a place for seeking our own, but for another’s wealth. See 1. Corinthians 10:24,33.

 (5) Home is the Headquarters

The strange woman … there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) Proverbs 7:10-12.

Let’s learn from that mistake. Simply put, we abide at home. We do not believe in hectic hurrying, but we live slowly. We are thankful for a home. We do not believe in a lifestyle where we are constantly on the go with meaningless errands, useless activities that do not profit our walk with God.

 (6) Home Building

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1.

Home is where the heart is. Our heart is not in social clubs, schools, associations, peer groups, organizations … So we must remove distractions in order to stay focused on the God-given priorities. Many people get sidetracked. This Scripture also refers to the fact economical housekeeping will lead to real wealth. Divorce and materialistic lifestyles are big wealth-killers. But good stewardship in the way things are used and organized at home leads to financial freedom.

 (7) United we Stand

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. Luke 11:17.

Parents are a united front. We do not believe in lax parenting where children bargain with parents about what they are allowed or not allowed to do. What is yea with one parent shall not be nay with the other. Our yea is yea and our nay is nay. James 5:12. We mean what we say and say what we mean. Father is the head of the home and rules it well. Mother is obedient and enforces rule. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3. There needs to be agreement in a marriage in order to stay the course. Family members needs to pull together. Contention and selfishness are characteristics that God rejects. Meekness and self-giving love are God’s will.

 (8) Peacekeepers

When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. Luke 11:21.

If we want peace in our home, we must keep it. By the way, there is nothing wrong with being armed. But we also need to “keep our palace” against violent intrusion of the media. If you are saved by the grace of God, there is not need for cable or satellite TV. It will not help you live for God. If you are saved, you are free from entertainment because as a believer your concern is edification, encouragement, education, evangelism. That books your schedule 100% with no time left for hellevision. You might want to use a TV as a monitor for videos or DVDs that serve the cause of edification, encouragement, education, evangelism. We keep our palace free from the negative impact of culture, society and media.

(9) Constructive Conduct

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29.

How can you be a blessing to your home instead? In the Bible you find a man named Lot and he troubled his own house by moving to Sodom. God delivered him out of Sodom, but he lost his wife. His daughters were sinful and their children turned out to become opponents of God’s people later on. Learn from Lot’s mistakes.

(10) Eat at Home

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home … 1. Corinthians 11:34

Modern society has taken on the bad habit of constantly eating out. That is a bad choice because it hinders quietness, communication and harmony in the home. It is also a wasteful choice. No matter how rich you are, you are wasting money since a lot of restaurants no longer allow kids to eat free. Family diners turn into high-end restaurants. Save your money and live better while eating at home. If you are eating out constantly, you are robbing your family of precious memories of fellowship at the family table. You are stealing yourself from the responsibility of preparing meals at home. You are becoming effeminate, lax and spoiled rotten since you expect others to fix food for you. You become dependent. It grieves me to drive by the full parkig lots at restaurants at night on any given day of the week and esp. on the Lord’s Day Sunday. A revival of biblical values in America would result in emptier parking lots at restaurants.

The family table is a blessing from God: Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. Ps. 128:3,4. The family table is not just for food but for fellowship. It is a place of love and communion. It is a place for prayer and devotions.

My friend, do you really desire God’s blessings on your life? Or have you been deceived by the world and its shiny attraction? Not everything that glitters is gold. Homeland security really begins at your home. You need God or everything else is in vain. Will you acknowledge Him in all your ways?

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1. My friend, I pray that God will build the homes and keep our city. That is the blessing we ought to desire from God and strive for in our prayer life.

Related literature about “Homeland Security”:

Ten Traps of Television, by Francie Taylor

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We know that we live in a time of materialism. Many times people are judged by the stuff they own. What kind of car do you have? What kind of house do you own? What kind of clothes do you wear? And people love to shop! What’s so special about Labor Day and the day after Christmas? It’s the shopping craze. Many are addicted to it. Their credit card statements testify of that. Incomes are growing slowly or actually stagnate for many workers, but more and more is being spent. Marketing specialists try to program people’s minds to shop on impulse rather than on thoughtful planning and budgeting. They want to induce people to gratify themselves and to indulge themselves by buying more and more stuff. People don’t talk about saving and self-denial, although they are Biblical virtues. If the economy is down, the blame is brazenly shifted on the consumer because he didn’t spend enough. He is told to buy more “stuff,” so that more jobs can be created. Some folks judge me because I don’t own certain things that are so fashionable today. Worldly Christians sometimes even judge other Christians, who do not participate in fashion fads. The worldly Christian has not read up in his Bible on these subjects because he spent hours at the mall. A Christian financial counselor rightly calls this disease “stuffitis”. Under this serious medical condition people think they have to have certain things although they have no need of them at all. They think that by “going shopping” you can feel happy and satisfied. Sadly, some Christians have followed this path of worldliness. Here’s some news for you: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1. Timothy 6:6-8. Let’s talk about contentment. Not many people talk about that anymore. Most people want to get you so dissatisfied until you buy their product, so you think you’re satisfied again. Look at one of these “home improvement” magazines. Look at these pretty houses! If you look at them for too long, you get so dissatisfied with what you have, that you’ll be spending hundreds and thousands of dollars for home improvement projects while you waste your time with useless work. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it! Can’t we be more content with what we have? Why not? Are you content? Are you thankful for food and raiment? The Bible says you can’t carry anything out of this world. Your “stuff” is going to stay down here! Therefore, let’s not waste too much of our time and attention on “stuff”. It will rot, rust or get recycled! You need to get so right with God that your greatest gain is godliness and contentment. If you have a list of your life’s priorities, where would godliness and contentment be? You can be content even if you don’t have two cars, a cell phone, cable TV, brand name clothes, etc. Don’t compare yourself with others. Don’t look at how much “stuff” others have. The Bible says: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” Exodus 20:17. What your neighbor owns should not matter to you. If he owns much more than you do, then don’t be disturbed, don’t feel pressured, don’t try to keep up with him. Let your neighbor keep up with his own “stuff”. Rejoice in the fact that you enjoy a simpler life that is not “stuffed” with things. Jesus said: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15. Yes, Jesus says there is more to life than just boats, trucks, four-wheelers, hunting and golf equipment, brand name clothes and giant screen TVs. Some people really haven’t discovered that yet. There is godliness and contentment. They are the greatest gain. Many of us need to simplify their lives. The Bible gives some answers: “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” Proverbs 16:8. If you got rich by using crooked means than you’re worse off than the one who owns little by doing honest work, according to that verse. “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner with herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” Proverbs 15:16,17. So the Bible teaches that it’s better to have a simplified life with contentment rather than having your attic, garage and basement filled with stuff bought on credit card debt with trouble and strife. Let me add this verse, too: “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” Proverbs 17:1. That verse deals with food! Some folks just need to learn to sit still at a family table and eat together to enjoy some simple food. Maybe as simple as a dish of oats rather than ham, bacon and the other high cholesterol “sacrifices.” The Bible says that is “better”. If you have to live on less or on a strict budget, these Bible principles can prove to be a blessing to you. If you suffer from “stuffitis” it will certainly hinder you from serving God. According to Mark 4:19 it is the “cares of this world,” the “deceitfulness of riches,” and the “lusts of other things” that choke you and render you unfruitful for the Lord. If you are too busy take care of your “stuff” the Lord can’t use you. Maybe the Lord would love to send you on a foreign mission field, but since you are busy trying to establish your own personal kingdom you surely have too many irons in the fire in order to serve the Lord. You might not need a $60,000 Humvee. That car costs more than many homes in Smith County. But people are willing to spend. There is so much stuff that is totally overpriced and people are willing to spend. Why? Could the reason for that be gullibility, manipulation, peer pressure, reputation, social status and wrong priorities? Can you be content with what you have? The Bible says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave the, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. If you have the Lord Jesus, you have a reason to be content. You will have to leave your “stuff” or it might have to leave you, but the Lord will not leave you!

What does Webster’s 1828 Dictionary say?

Contentment - Content; a resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet; acquiescence.

Frugality - Prudent economy; good husbandry or housewifery; a sparing use or appropriation of money or commodities; a judicious use of any thing to be expended or employed; that careful management of money or goods which expends nothing unnecessarily, and applies what is used to a profitable purpose; that use in which nothing is wasted. It is not equivalent to parsimony, the latter being an excess of frugality, and a fault. Frugality is always a virtue. Nor is it synonymous with thrift, in its proper sense; for thrift is the effect of frugality. Without frugality none can become rich, and with it few would be poor.

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Many people know for sure that they are saved by the grace of God because they have trusted Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead the third day. Do you know what the Lord saved you from? There can only be a need for salvation when one is in some kind of danger or hazard. The Bible says in Romans 5:9 that we are “saved from wrath through him.” The wrath of God will be revealed against all unrighteousness and sin. Nobody can get away with sin. One day the day of wrath comes and the righteous judgment of God will be revealed when all evil deeds will get their just reward (Romans 2:5). But there is good news for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. The Bible says: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” 1. Thessalonians 5:9,10. That’s a comforting assurance! Those who sleep (died) in Jesus will be resurrected to obtain a new, incorruptible body. Those who still live in Jesus will be raptured at His coming and changed in the twinkling of an eye to obtain a new, incorruptible body. One might ask now: What are we saved for? What is our purpose in this life? Many people profess to be saved, but they never really get a personal walk with the Lord and even refuse to learn what the Bible says on some issues. For what purpose does the Lord save us? First of all, that’s His will for us. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1. Timothy 2:3,4. The word “all” means “all”, and that includes you. Secondly, the Lord saves people because he’s got some work for them to do. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. Walk in good works? Yes, we are created in Christ Jesus (born again) unto good works! What does this verse tell you? We are not saved by works, but we are saved in order to do a work! God has a plan and purpose for us. We no longer live to please ourselves, but to serve and please Him! Could it be that too many Christians today are busily trying to please their own selves while ignoring the good works that God has ordained them to do? Those who are Christ’s can no longer say “I can do what I want to!” No! If you call Jesus your Lord, then that makes you His servant. You do whatever He wants. Your will needs to be lined up with God’s will, or else you are self-willed. Who but a servant would call anyone Lord? The apostle Paul considered himself a “servant of God” (Titus 1:1). He was saved to serve! He did not brag about being a “spoiled child” of God. As far as I know, God does not want His children to be spoiled. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” Hebrews 12:6. God saves us, so that we may serve Him! Salvation is not something that we can put on the shelf. It needs to be used for something. Do you know God’s will for your life? Ephesians 2:10 says that there is work for you! Thirdly, the Bible says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Colossians 2:6. It is one thing to “receive Christ”, but it is another thing to “walk in him” after we’ve received Him. We need a walk with God. Those who walk in Christ Jesus are called to separate themselves from the sinful things of life, and to surrender every area of their life to Jesus Christ. There are some things the Bible calls us to “abstain from”, “flee”, “be not conformed to”, “keep thy tongue from”, “depart from” and “deny”. Here is something that every saved person is called to do: “That as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” 1. Thessalonians 4:1-3. Many people are too pleased by just “being saved” without really walking with God, pleasing Him and abounding in the things they’ve been taught from the word of God. They’ve never been taught that God’s will for them is sanctification, i. e. to be holy! Yes, “be ye holy in all manner of conversation,” it says in 1. Peter 1:15. Would God be pleased with unholy children? Don’t use salvation to excuse you sin! The Christian life is not about what pleases us. It’s what pleases the Lord that really matters! Is the Lord pleased with what I’m doing? Is he pleased with the music I listen to? Or does that grieve Him? Christians too often listen to the music that pleases them. But does that music please and honor the Lord? We need to be able to face these questions. God saves us, so that we may serve Him. He redeems us and that makes us His property. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14. Those good works can include service in the local church. It might be going to a mission field. It might be faithful support of missionaries. It might be guiding your home according to God’s principles. It might be soul-winning. It might be reading the Bible daily. It might be speaking up in public to defend the right to life for the unborn. It might be giving a word of encouragement to someone who is down. It might be regular prayer and family devotions. You can be saved to serve! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31.

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